ANTIOCH — The city’s interim police chief will be given the job full time.

Allan Cantando, who has been with the department his entire 24-year career, will be appointed police chief Friday, City Manager Jim Jakel said during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Cantando, 45, has handled day-to-day duties of the department since being named interim chief Dec. 16. He replaced Jim Hyde, who retired.

“I’m very gratified and honored to be asked to lead this department. I’m going to try my best to continue to provide quality law enforcement for the citizens of Antioch,” Cantando said.

During his time at the helm, Cantando has promoted community involvement in policing and launched a police department presence on Facebook and Twitter. Last week, police introduced an online crime reporting system.

“He’s done a really good job since taking over. He’s demonstrated he’s up to the challenge,” Jakel said.

Jakel also noted that Cantando, who lives in Antioch, also gained the endorsements of community activist groups such as LULAC and the NAACP.

Councilmembers also lauded Cantando’s community involvement, including his work with the Police Activities League.

“He is the right man at the right time,” Mayor Pro Tem Wade Harper said.

“He’s well-qualified and has demonstrated that over the past few months. I have no reservations,” added Councilman Brian Kalinowski.

Tom Furhmann, president of the Antioch police officers union, said the appointment was not entirely unexpected and the officers look forward to working under Cantando.

There were some reservations about Jakel not conducting a search outside of the department, as he had with Hyde in 2006.

Jakel said that search was an exception and city department heads in community development, finance, information technology, and public works were all promoted from within the city ranks.